Cost analysis of a falls-prevention program in an orthopaedic setting.
Affiliation
Department of Trauma & Orthopaedic Surgery, St Mary's Orthopaedic Hospital, Gurranabraher, Cork, Ireland. johng442@hotmail.comIssue Date
2011-12MeSH
Accidental FallsAged
Aged, 80 and over
Bones of Lower Extremity
Cost of Illness
Costs and Cost Analysis
Female
Fractures, Bone
Hip Fractures
Hospital Costs
Hospitalization
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Prospective Studies
Risk Factors
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Cost analysis of a falls-prevention program in an orthopaedic setting. 2011, 469 (12):3462-8 Clin. Orthop. Relat. Res.Journal
Clinical orthopaedics and related researchDOI
10.1007/s11999-011-1932-9PubMed ID
21643923Abstract
Falls by orthopaedic patients may lead to negative outcomes such as injury, prolonged hospitalization, delayed rehabilitation, and increased costs.We examined the impact of a multidisciplinary Falls-prevention Program (FPP) on the incidence of inpatient falls and fall-related injuries in an orthopaedic hospital during a 6-year period.
Patient data and fall incident report data were reviewed to identify risk factors associated with falls and fall-related injuries. A cost analysis was performed to calculate costs incurred as a result of falls.
A total of 415 falls occurred during a 5-year period preintervention. The fall rate preintervention was significantly higher than the fall rate postintervention (3.49 versus 2.68 per 1000 bed days). Eighty-five falls occurred in the 12 months preintervention. A total of 15.29% (13 of 85) of falls resulted in minor injuries, and 9.42% (eight of 85) resulted in major injuries. The total cost incurred during this period as a result of falls was $117,754.12. Of this, 95.5% resulted from patients who sustained a hip fracture (n = 4). The total cost of implementing the FPP was $15,694.46. In the 12 months postintervention, 52 falls occurred. Twenty-five percent (13 of 52) of falls resulted in minor injuries, and 5.76% (two of 52) resulted in major injuries (no hip fractures). The total costs accrued during this period as a result of falls was $811.70.
After implementation of a FPP, there were significant decreases in fall incidence, fall-related morbidity, and consequent costs.
Level III, economic and decision analyses. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Item Type
ArticleLanguage
enISSN
1528-1132ae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.1007/s11999-011-1932-9
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